The multi-millionaire businessman stated that his donations to the monastic community total approximately 15 million euros over the years, a philanthropic effort aimed at ensuring Romanian monks no longer rely on lower wages from Greek monastics.
Financial Distribution and Monastic Motives at Mount Athos
According to statements published by Fanatik, George Becali visited the Xenofont Monastery during his trip after the August 17 fixture. He recounted that the Greek abbot of the monastery requested an hour of his time just to shake his hand upon hearing of his arrival. Becali explained that his motivation to intervene financially stemmed from previously watching a broadcast on OTV hosted by Dan Diaconescu, where he observed that Romanian monks on the mountain were reportedly working as servants and receiving twenty dollars from Greek monks. To counter this dynamic, Becali brought three million dollars in cash, later supplementing it with an additional two million and then one million, according to the sourced reports.
Longstanding Ties to Orthodox Monasteries
The Romanian businessman’s recent cash distribution builds upon a history of visits and financial support directed toward the monastic centers of Mount Athos. Mediafax, cited by Newsweek Romania, noted that George Becali has traveled to the holy mountain for years to pray and seek spiritual purification. While speaking to Fanatik, Becali emphasized that his cumulative contributions to the region have reached roughly 15 million euros, establishing a significant economic footprint across various monastic communities and asserting that the financial intervention successfully altered the working conditions of Romanian monastics on the peninsula.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much money did George Becali distribute at Mount Athos?
According to Fanatik and EVZ, George Becali stated that he distributed three million dollars initially, followed by subsequent amounts totaling several million more in cash to Romanian cells.
When did George Becali make this disclosure?
The disclosure was made following the FCSB match against FC Botoșani played on August 17, as reported by Fanatik and Newsweek Romania.
What was the stated reason for the cash distribution?
According to George Becali’s statements in Fanatik, the funds were given to Romanian monastic cells to prevent local monks from being economically subjugated or underpaid by Greek monks.
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